Sammy Crabbe Ignores NPP Disciplinary Committee

The second national vice chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Sammy Crabbe has ignored an invitation from the national disciplinary committee over a petition against him.

Mr. Crabbe in a letter responding to the invitation by the party’s disciplinary committee stated that

the committee has no locus to summon him because as an el

Citing the party’s constitution, Crabbe said Article 4(3) (d) is being violated. The Article reads: “A member aggrieved by or dissatisfied with the conduct of any member of the Constituency Executive Committee shall file a complaint in writing to the Regional Executive Committee. A complaint against a member of the Regional Executive Committee shall be made to the National Executive Committee and in the case of the National Executive Committee to the National Council.”

He also added article 10 of the NPP’s constitution states categorically how a party officer like him can be removed. “a. Whenever forty percent (40%) of the delegates that elect Constituency, Regional and National officers as the case may be, give written notice to the Constituency, Regional or National Executive as the case may be, of the demand for the removal of any elected officer he Executive Committee which receives such notice shall within one (1) week of receipt of the notice circulate such notice to all delegates affected.”

Two party members Mr. Boye Laryea and Gladys Tsotso Mann-Dedey in a petition said Mr. Crabbe "failed, neglected and abandoned his duties as a member of the party, and has fallen short of the standard required of national officers".

Below is his full response to the Disciplinary Committee’s invitation:

The Chairman,National Disciplinary Committee01/12/2015Ref: Invitation to appear before the national disciplinary committee, petitionersDear Rt. Rev. Asante Antwi,I wish to respectfully decline your invitation to appear before your committee on the following grounds:1. As the 2nd National Vice Chairman, I am a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC). Any complaint against a member of the NEC has to be sent to a legally and properly convened National Council and not to the National Disciplinary Committee. - Article: 4(3)(d):A member aggrieved by or dissatisfied with the conduct of any member of the Constituency Executive Committee shall file a complaint in writing to the Regional Executive Committee. A complaint against a member of the Regional Executive Committee shall be made to the National Executive Committee and in the case of the National Executive Committee to the National Council.2. One of the reliefs sought by the petitioners, Mr. Boye Laryea and Gladys Tsotso Mann-Dedey, is my expulsion as a member of the party. This will mean my removal as an elected officer of the New Patriotic Party. Article 10, which governs the removal of an elected officer states as follows:ARTICLE 10REMOVAL OF OFFICERS1. a. Whenever forty percent (40%) of the delegates that elect Constituency, Regional and National officers as the case may be, give written notice to the Constituency, Regional or National Executive as the case may be, of the demand for the removal of any elected officer he Executive Committee which receives such notice shall within one (1) week of receipt of the notice circulate such notice to all delegates affected.b. The petition for the removal of an officer shall be on stated grounds, a copy of which shall be given to the affected officer who shall be given the opportunity to be heard by a body constituted by the Executive Committee.2. Within one (1) month of the circulation of such notice referred to in clause (1), the said Executive Committee shall summon an Extraordinary Delegates Conference to deliberate and decide on the matter.3. In the case of the demand for the removal of any member of the Constituency Executive Committee, the written notice shall be given to the Regional Executive Committee. With respect to the removal of Regional Officers, the written notice shall be submitted to the National Executive Committee while in the case of the removal of National Executive Officers, the written notice shall be to the National Council.”4. Upon receipt of the written notice, the Constituency, Regional, National Executive Committee or National Council as the case may be, may suspend the officer from acting in his or her office pending the holding of the Emergency Delegates Conference.5. The notice summoning the Conference shall specify the agenda and the approval for the removal of the Officer shall be by two-thirds majority of the votes cast at the Conference. Refusal by the Conference to approve the removal of the Officer shall, automatically terminate his or her suspension, if any, from office.6. Clauses 1-5 herein shall not apply to appointed officers who may be removed by the decision of the appointing authority.The National Disciplinary Committee therefore has no jurisdiction over my removal as a 2nd National Vice Chairman.Thank you.Sammy Crabbe2nd National Vice Chairman